Athena’s Ashes (Star Thief Chronicles #2)(72)
Author: Jamie Grey

“Nothing will change, Renna,” he said softly. “I already know I love you. I already know I want to be with you. And this is the best of all options. I’m usually gone for six months out of the year on missions. It would kill me to be away from you that much. This way we don’t have to.”

Her whole body tensed. She stared at the waves crashing against the golden sand as she forced herself to relax. “I love you, too, Finn, but I’m not sure I’m ready for that kind of relationship. I’m still the same person, Finn. With the same hang-ups. Falling in love with you hasn’t changed that.” Renna untangled herself from him and sat up, drawing her knees to her chest so she could face him. The breeze off the water gently blew her hair across her face, and she pushed it behind her ears.

He propped himself up on an elbow. The sun highlighted the chiseled planes of his chest, the scars from his many missions that marred his skin. “I’ll give you all the space you need, Renna. You know that. But we promised to see this through.”

She sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She felt herself wavering. “Why do you have to be so damned reasonable all the time?”

His grin took her breath away. “Because you know I’m right.”

A chirp came from inside the bungalow, both of them turning to gaze into the dark interior.

“Dammit. That’s my comm. MYTH frequency,” Finn said. “I should take this.”

“Is that going to be your answer every time we’re in the middle of something and MYTH calls?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Renna…”

She waved a hand. “Fine, go answer it.”

He got to his feet and pressed a kiss to her forehead. She enjoyed the view of his naked ass as he wandered into the bungalow. The man had the muscles of a god.

But was that enough to risk everything? Was she being a coward by turning down MYTH’s offer? If nothing else, the mess with Samil had taught her to grab life by both hands because you never knew when it was going to end. She’d thought Finn was dead, and it had broken her heart. That had to mean something. Maybe it was enough to stay with him for a mission or two. See what happened. She could always hop a transport ship if things got too weird.

Finn poked his head out of the bungalow. He’d thrown on a loose, linen shirt and a pair of shorts. “Renna. It’s Dallas. You need to get in here.”

“Dallas had better know exactly how far I’m going to kick his ass for interrupting our vacation,” she muttered as she got to her feet. “What does he want?” she asked as she slipped into the robe Finn held out for her.

“He has our first mission.” Finn searched her face, something unreadable behind his eyes. “If you choose to accept it.”

His emotionless words sent an icy shiver through her, despite the warm sunshine. “And?”

“Someone found out the truth about the Star Thief.”

THE END